Arcade Archives 2: Air Combat 22 Switch 2 Review

Arcade Archives 2: Air Combat 22 Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

It’s easy to forget just how wild arcade games were in the mid-90s. Long before we had photorealistic cockpits or dual-analogue dogfighting, Namco’s Air Combat 22 dropped players into the pilot seat of a roaring F-14 Tomcat and told them to shoot first and fly fast. It was the kind of experience that swallowed dollar coins and fueled the imaginations of kids wanting to grow up to be fighter pilots. For me, it was Sega’s Lock On that drained most of my wallet growing up, as I never stumbled across Air Combat 22 in the wild, which is exactly why I didn’t hesitate to grab it the moment it touched down on Switch. This release marks the second title in Hamster’s “Arcade Archives 2” series, following the impressive debut of Ridge Racer. Where the original Arcade Archives catalogue brought us a treasure trove of Neo Geo classics (including the legendary Metal Slug series), this second wave is turning its attention to some of Namco’s most ambitious arcade experiments. And for Ace Combat fans, this one’s special, because it’s where one of my favourite franchises began. What’s it Like? Grab your helmet, crank up Kenny Loggins’ Danger Zone, and it’s time to kick the tires and light the fires as we review Air Combat 22 on Nintendo Switch 2.

The Legacy and the Leap

Originally released in 1995, Air Combat 22 was Namco’s arcade-only follow-up to the original Air Combat, running on the upgraded Super System 22 hardware. It arrived at a time when arcade tech was rapidly evolving, with Namco going head-to-head with Sega’s Model 2 titles like Sky Target and After Burner. Visually, it was a big step up with larger environments, sleeker planes, and a smoother feel overall. Despite its legacy, actually finding a cabinet in Australia was next to impossible. I don’t recall ever seeing one in the wild growing up, certainly not among the Daytona machines and Time Crisis units that dominated most arcades over here. For many of us, Air Combat 22 was more Ace Combat lore than a memory. I feel that’s what makes this Switch release so fascinating, as it’s a rare chance to finally experience a missing link in Namco’s arcade lineage.

Short, Sweet, and Supersonic

The Ace Combat roots are unmistakable here, and even with its age, Air Combat 22 still delivers high-octane aerial combat that’s genuinely exciting. Missions are built around the classic arcade trope of time pressure; each enemy you down adds seconds to the clock, not unlike hitting checkpoints in Ridge Racer to extend your run. Once the skies are clear, you’re sometimes thrown into a brief mid-air refuelling sequence for a chance at even more bonus time. The controls feel tight and surprisingly responsive on Switch, and despite the hardware limitations of its time, the game captures the sensation of pulling high-G turns and lining up shots mid-dive.

You won’t find the full range of freedom offered in later Ace Combat titles, but what’s here works, and works well. It’s restricted, sure, but there’s still a rhythm and momentum that make it satisfying to chase down targets and time missile locks just right. Of course, on Switch, there’s no need to ration coins, and you can freely credit feed your way through the game, but I found it more fun to see how far I could push myself on a single run. The loop may be simple, but it’s satisfying, fast, and just intense enough to keep you on edge.

Despite being able to roll credits in about 15 minutes, I kept jumping back in. Higher difficulty settings and subtle branching paths encouraged repeat play, and I found myself wondering if there were hidden challenges tucked away behind sharper flying or better timing. That said, Air Combat 22 won’t appeal to everyone. The short runtime and arcade pacing are a far cry from the more cinematic, story-driven Ace Combat titles that came later, but for fans of the franchise, or anyone curious to see how it all began, this is a rewarding, afterburner-charged slice of history.

A Stylish Relic, Still Soaring

Visually, Air Combat 22 holds up far better than I expected for a 1995 release. Yes, it’s low-poly by today’s standards, but there’s a sharpness and clarity to the presentation that still works, especially during the stylish cinematic sequences that bookend missions. Whether it’s a mid-air refuel or a dramatic carrier takeoff, these moments add real flair and elevate the experience beyond just polygonal dogfighting. In the heat of combat, the game manages to be surprisingly engaging. Whether you’re shredding an A-10 with your Vulcan cannon or hearing the tone lock before unleashing a missile at a slow and lumbering C-130, there’s a real sense of risk and payoff.

Explosions erupt, tracer rounds fill the screen, and even with its limited geometry, the game sells the tension of each encounter. Hamster’s emulation work continues to impress. The game runs smoothly across the board, and there are multiple screen filters available to replicate CRT and arcade cabinet visuals, including scanlines and soft glow options. Everything feels faithful without being fussy, and I didn’t run into any audio sync issues or technical hiccups along the way. It’s a strong presentation all around and one that respects the source while making it approachable on modern hardware. For my pilots looking into accessibility options, there are no specific flight controls available, so as always, I recommend further research to see if Air Combat 22 suits your needs.

Stock Up on Tokens

At $22 AUD, Air Combat 22’s value will largely depend on how much you like the Ace Combat series. For me, I spent around five hours just blasting through and having a great time replaying runs, testing difficulty settings, and just soaking in the arcade spectacle. For others, the credit roll at 15 minutes per run might not leave budding pilots all that impressed. Still, this is one of those rare arcade titles that feels like more than just a novelty as it has historical weight, a unique style, and enough replay value to keep score chasers and franchise fans coming back for more. Overall, I felt like this was a fantastic experience and a rare chance to see exactly where Ace Combat began. The gameplay may have been refined in later entries, but Air Combat 22 still manages to capture the same sense of speed, tension, and satisfaction that define the series. Mileage will definitely vary depending on your expectations, but for fans of the franchise or arcade history, this is a mission worth flying.

Enjoyed our Air Combat 22 Switch 2 Review?

✨ Support What’s It Like? Want to help keep this independent Nintendo outlet running? Here are a few ways you can support:
🌐 More Nintendo reviews and guides: https://www.whatsitlike.com.au/
☕ Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/whatsitlike
🎥 Join the Patreon for behind-the-scenes content: https://patreon.com/u102681944